2018 RMC Foundation Awards Martha Vandervoort Memorial Scholarships

ANNISTON, AL (June 11, 2018)— On Friday, May 18, more than 400 people gathered “down the
rabbit hole” at Longleaf Botanical Gardens to celebrate and support our future leaders. Recognizing the
legacy of Martha Vandervoort, proceeds from the 2018 RMC Foundation Garden Jubilee will benefit the
Scholarship Fund in her name, raising awareness about the importance of investing in our youth.
The RMC Foundation has been able to award 5 scholarships to deserving Calhoun County high
school seniors in the past 3 years. Hayleah Higgins and Jessie Wilson were the latest recipients
of the Martha Vandervoort Memorial Scholarship.
Hayleah Higgins, a senior at Piedmont High School, is the first recipient of the 3rd annual RMC
Foundation Martha Vandervoort Memorial Scholarship. This spring, Hayleah graduates from
Piedmont High with a 4.167 GPA and numerous other academic honors. Hayleah plays an
active role in giving back to the community through her involvement with FFA, HOSA, SGA and
managing the school softball team and band. She plans to further pursue her dreams with a
college degree in either Marketing or Psychology at Jacksonville State University beginning in
Fall of 2018.
The second scholarship winner announced at the RMC Garden Jubilee was Jesse Wilson, who
graduates this month from Jacksonville High School with a 3.96 GPA. Active in athletics, Jesse
was involved with several sports teams and a member of the FFA, Key Club and National Honor
Society. In the fall, Jesse plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University.
“It was an incredible night filled with such a sense of community, charitable giving and, of
course, lots of fun, said Lagina Fillingim, RMC Foundation’s executive director. While a good time
was had by all, helping these high school students as they pursue their dreams of higher
education is the best part of this program.”

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2018 RMC Garden Jubilee Raises/add one
The scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of longtime Anniston resident and
philanthropist, Martha Smith Vandervoort. Each year, a graduating high school senior in
Calhoun County is awarded a renewable $6,000 scholarship to support his or her college
education. Recipients are chosen through an application and interview process with a selection
committee. To be eligible, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, have financial need and
demonstrate leadership, academic promise, strong character and community involvement.
Since inception, scholarship funds are now helping five students attain their dreams of
attending college.
This year’s RMC Garden Jubilee Committee was chaired by: Vera Jordan and supported by the
following committee members: Leslie LaPlante, Kate Van Meter, Ellen Bass, Hannah
Downing, Russ Jackson, Jessica Riviera Martin, Ashlee Jones, Jennifer Yates, Mark Cova, Anna
Moore, Treacy Nuse Hunter, John &amp; Kay Henson, Maudine Holloway, Mark Ford, Bridgette
Magouirk, Chris Wilson, Kathy Phillips, and Bailey McCormick.
The RMC Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit volunteer organization promoting and assisting
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center (RMC) by enhancing community services through
education and financial assistance. If you would like to make a donation or learn more about
the RMC Foundation, please visit www.rmccares.org/Foundation.
About The RMC Foundation:
Founded in 1976 by Warren Sarrell, M.D. and other concerned citizens, the RMC Medical
Center Memorial Foundation was created to support Regional Medical Center (RMC) in pursuit
of its vision of providing superior quality health care services for the community and residents
of Northeast Alabama. Today, the RMC Foundation remains an active and essential support
organization for RMC in fulfilling the need and desire for additional medical services and
facilities.